This amazing problem-solving plant treats an array of illnesses, makes candles, can be rolled into cigarettes, or drank as tea. There are very few sacred plants as versatile as Mullein! It starts out its first season as a short plant with large, long, woolly leaves. It's second year it forms a 4-8 foot stalk, the top loaded with small buds similar to kernels on a cob. I went out hunting this morning specifically for Mullein and I wasn't walking for ten minutes before I found a short, bushy, first year plant (probably spawn of the tall plant I harvested last year just fifteen feet away). The arrangement of the leaves on the young, and the symmetry of the flowers and seedhead of older plants display a pattern which can be referred to as sacred geometry and helps indicate its medicinal value. Harvesting is best before buds form; but first year plants stay green all winter, so it's readily available all year. I collected some large leaves for bandages/ tea and some new baby leaves to dry for smoking. As with most herbs, I collected and am drying them in small brown paper bags.
Scientific name Verbascum is a genus covering around 250 species with nearly as many interchangeable terms. Among them are Velvet Plant, Feltwort, Beggar's Blanket, Flannel Flower, and Lungwort. You know how accurately descriptive those names are if you've ever had a feel of the leaves from this plant, they are downright furry. They feel exactly like felt or a thick flannel blanket. For ages its been valued as a treatment for sore throat, breathing ailments like asthma, and even diarrhea/ hemorrhoids. Most commonly a tea is steeped (and WELL strained, as the spiny hairs can irritate the throat), but a person can put the leaves in boiling water and breathe in the steamy vapors as one does with lemon balm, it works as an expectorant. It purifies by expelling congestion from the lungs, like a cleanse.
Ol' timers indirectly breathe in smoke from burning mullein or directly puff on the herb, and coughing from the smoke is believed to be beneficial for congestion. I read a story about an old woman smoking Mullein in a pipe to alleviate symptoms of a winter chest-cold, a young family member walked in on her and thought she was using drugs. Mullein is actually gaining popularity as an herb since its introduction in alternative smoking blends with folks leaving commercially manufactured cigarettes. Mullein burns as well as birch bark in a mixture to tone down bowls of potent Indian Tobacco. I have come across recipes to make a cough syrup from the plentiful yellow blooms, as well as instructions for making yellow dye.
Mullein is also comforting to twists and sprains, as it reduces swelling and inflammation. Just dip several full leaves in hot or boiling water and immediately apply to inured joint, wrapping it as a person would an ace bandage and tie it with a fabric strip. This method is one of the most practical ways to utilize any other topically applied herbs, plant medicines, or healing substances you've come onto; like buttonbush-snakeroot, buffalo gourd, or a madstone. It sooths the strained area instantly but the real effects are noticed overnight by ease in swelling. Minor skin irritation from the tiny hairs on the leaf is seen as a sign of effectiveness. This treatment is most effecient when applied directly after injury (collect in advanced and keep on hand) and pair with rest. For prolonged treatment, change daily or just add a fresh layer of dipped leaves to skin and rewrap with the previously used green furry bandages.
Also known as Candle Wick and Candle Flower, this versatile, indispensable plant is found is some variety on all six green continents. The ancients used the dried leaf stem and central vain in candles and as wicks in oil lamps. The stem is slow burning and can be used as a candle in itself or dipped in wax or fat. Ceremonial torches made of Mullein stalks aka GraveDirt stalks are used in magic rituals, but make awesome natural tiki torches and a concentrate of the leaves can make a mosquito repellent! Anyone can find a use for this common weed, and that exhausts my Mullein knowledge bank. If you have any tips or experiences to add, please share! As always, I took all the photos myself. Thanks for reading, and I'll see you again.
